Real Justice PAC proudly endorses Parisa Dehghani-Tafti for her re-election for Commonwealth’s Attorney of Arlington County and the city of Falls Church, Virginia. Parisa has been a lifelong public defender with an 18-year record of defending vulnerable people and communities.

We were excited to endorse Parisa in 2018 and since taking office, she has fought for fairness and justice. This includes ending the prosecution of simple possession of marijuana, stopping cash bail, reducing the jail population by 30%, partnering with the Vera Institute for Justice to reduce racial disparities in the system, ending the criminalization of people with mental health and substance use disorder, treating kids like kids, and implementing a community-based prosecution model that centers restorative justice and listens to victims.

Parisa also created a conviction review unit to correct and safeguard against false convictions – the first of its kind in the Commonwealth; and, in another first in the nation, adopted a policy to stop the use of peremptory strikes in jury selection so as to make juries truly representative of the community.

While homicides rose 30% nationwide, they dropped in Parisa’s jurisdiction by 50%. In 2021 and for about 16 months into 2022, Arlington County and the City of Falls Church recorded zero homicides.

More proof that crime prevention and criminal legal reform go hand-in-hand.

We know that Parisa will continue building a better justice system that keeps us safe, treats everyone fairly, and reflects the values of the community, and we are motivated to make sure she is re-elected.